Northbridge: Fast-moving fire displaces two families, destroys home

NORTHBRIDGE — Two families were displaced and several pets lost on Monday after a two-alarm fire quickly engulfed an old mill house on Church Avenue.

The blaze started in the basement of 44 Church Ave., and by the time firefighters arrived at 5:40 a.m., flames were already licking the roof.

The houses in that neighborhood are packed close together, so fire officials acted fast to prevent the flames from spreading to homes on either side of 44-46 Church Ave.

"Our primary objective was to keep the fire from getting to the adjacent residences," said Fire Chief Gary Nestor.

Last year, a three-alarm fire that started at 75 Church Ave. spread to the building behind it at 35 Cross Place. In the end, 12 families were displaced.

Monday’s fire was contained before it could cause further destruction, Nestor said. Fire crews from Douglas, Grafton, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge assisted.

Before the first crews responded, one of the residents tried to stop the fire’s climb with a garden hose. The man, who fire officials did not identify, smashed through a glass sliding door in the back of the home to get at the flames, cutting his hand in the process, according to Nestor.

The home’s smoke alarms may not have been active, Nestor said, as the initial group of firefighters did not hear an alarm sounding.

In all, nine people escaped — five adults and four children. The Red Cross was assisting the families with food and shelter.

Several pets were missing and presumed dead, including three cats, Nestor said.

James Sheehan Jr., the town’s building inspector, called the home a "total loss," though added that he wasn’t able to go inside because of safety concerns.

"It’s supposed to be boarded up sometime today (Monday) and then taken down as soon as possible," Sheehan said.

Bob Siemaszko, a neighbor who owns two homes on Church Avenue, one of which he rents to another family, said he awoke to the sound of people banging at his door to warn him about the fire.

"Our neighbors told us to get out, so we grabbed our kids and rushed out," Siemaszko, 33, said.

He said he first saw flames speeding up the back side of the house.

"These homes go up like a match stick," he said of how fast the fire spread.

Siemaszko described the neighborhood as "close-knit," saying he would gladly cook dinner Monday night for the two families.

"Whatever they need," he said. "We’re trying to grab some clothes for their kids, whatever we can do to help."